Beauty business ideas you can start in Canada
74 ideas
These 74 beauty business ideas suit people who enjoy hands-on client work, have a steady eye for detail and want to build a loyal local following. Some, like a mobile waxing service or a home facial studio, keep costs low and let you start small.
Laser hair removal from a rented treatment room
Offer laser hair removal from a room rented in an existing salon, spa or clinic, with lower fixed costs.
- C$15k-60k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Your own laser hair removal studio
Open a small studio of your own with one or two treatment rooms and build a client base on packages.
- C$25k-80k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Mobile mehndi artist for weddings and events
Apply henna designs for brides, guests and party groups at homes, venues and celebrations.
- C$150-1k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Home henna studio by appointment
Welcome clients to a set-up corner at home for henna designs before festivals, weddings and special days.
- C$100-600
- Side hustle
- From home
Henna booth at festivals and markets
Run a henna stall at fairs, cultural festivals and markets, offering quick designs to passing crowds.
- C$300-1.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Permanent make-up artist in a rented suite
Offer cosmetic tattooing such as brows and lips from a rented room or suite, keeping startup costs low.
- C$4k-15k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Your own permanent make-up studio
Run a branded cosmetic tattoo studio from your own leased unit, with room to add artists later.
- C$12k-40k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Barber on a rented chair
Rent a chair in an established shop and build your own client book without opening a full shop.
- C$1k-4k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Your own neighbourhood barber shop
Lease a small storefront, fit out two or three chairs and build a loyal local clientele.
- C$25k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Mobile barber who comes to you
Travel to homes, offices and care homes with a portable kit and cut hair where clients are.
- C$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Rent a chair or suite as an independent stylist
Rent a chair or private suite in a shared salon and run your own client book.
- C$2k-8k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Own small hair salon
Lease a small unit, fit it out and run your own salon with a few stylists.
- C$25k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Mobile bridal and event make-up artist
Travel to homes, hotels and venues to do make-up for brides, wedding parties and special events.
- C$800-4k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Freelance make-up artist for shoots and screen
Book day rates with photographers, brands and production crews for editorial, commercial and screen work.
- C$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Home studio make-up artist
See clients in a dedicated corner of your home for special-occasion make-up, trials and lessons.
- C$600-3k
- Side hustle
- From home
Eyebrow threading and shaping studio
Rent a small suite or chair and offer threading, waxing and tinting to walk-in and booked clients.
- C$3k-12k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Home-based brow shaping and tinting
Offer by-appointment brow threading and tinting from a clean, dedicated room at home.
- C$800-3.5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home-based lash extension studio
Apply lash extensions and lifts by appointment from a dedicated room at home.
- C$1.5k-4.5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Lash salon in a rented suite or studio
Run a lash studio from a rented salon suite or small unit, with room to add lash artists.
- C$5k-25k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Foot massage studio
Open a small, relaxing studio where walk-in and booked clients pay for foot and lower-leg massage.
- C$12k-45k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Mobile foot massage service
Bring foot massage to homes, offices, seniors' residences and events with a portable chair and kit.
- C$1k-5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Home aromatherapy treatment room
Set up a calm treatment room at home and offer aromatherapy sessions by appointment.
- C$1k-5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Skin treatment room in a shared studio
Rent a treatment room and offer facials, peels and skin treatments, with medical oversight for anything beyond the surface.
- C$5k-25k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Mobile spray tan service
Bring professional spray tans to clients' homes, wedding mornings and group parties.
- C$800-4k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
About these ideas
Others, such as a lash salon in a rented suite or your own small beauty salon, need more space and a bigger upfront outlay. Before choosing, think about your training and certification, whether you want to travel to clients or host them, and how many regular customers you need to cover costs. Check the rules in your province and municipality, as licensing, insurance and home-business requirements can differ.
More ideas
- Tanning studio with sunbeds and spray booth
- Neighbourhood day spa with a small team
- Solo spa studio in a rented treatment room
- Home waxing and threading studio
- Waxing and threading in a rented suite
- Home facial studio
- Facial spa studio
- Mobile nail technician
- Home nail studio
- Small nail salon with a storefront
- Mobile hot stone massage
- Hot stone treatment room
- Home beauty studio
- Rent a chair or suite in a salon
- Your own small beauty salon
- Mobile hairdresser
- Home hair studio
- Hairdresser renting a salon chair
- Home-based facial and skin treatment studio
- Small skin care clinic with treatment rooms
- Mobile beauty therapist
- Small beauty studio or rented room
- Home-based facials and waxing studio
- Mobile beauty treatments at clients' homes
- Small aesthetics studio in a rented room
- Makeup and nail short-course workshops
- Small hair, nail and makeup training academy
- Private hair replacement studio
- Mobile hair replacement fitter
- Ear piercing studio space
- Mobile ear piercing for parties and events
- Home studio hair extension technician
- Mobile hair extension stylist
- Small barber academy with a training floor
- Barber skills short courses and workshops
- Personal image and wardrobe consultant
- Professional image coach for workplaces
- Virtual style and wardrobe consultant
- Home-based loctician studio
- Loctician in a rented salon suite
- Mobile loctician
- Waxing studio in a rented room
- Mobile waxing service
- Body piercing studio
- Piercer in a rented room or chair
- Home-based electrolysis studio
- Electrolysis room in a salon or wellness centre
- Tattoo removal from a rented salon room
- Mobile foot soak service
- Foot spa studio
Questions
Do I need a licence or qualification to start a beauty business in Canada?
It depends on the service and your province. Hair, esthetics, nails and body treatments are often regulated differently, so check provincial requirements, any training hours expected, and whether your local municipality asks for a business licence.
Can I run a beauty business from home in Canada?
Often possible, but check first. Look at local zoning and home-business bylaws, your lease or condo rules, and your home insurance. Also consider hygiene standards, client parking and whether a dedicated treatment space is needed.
Is it better to go mobile or rent a studio space?
Mobile services usually cost less to start but add travel time and equipment to carry. A rented room or suite offers a consistent setting and bookings. Compare rent, insurance, travel costs and how many clients you realistically expect.